Challenges of Middle and Late Adolescence

P E R S O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
Adolescence
What is Special about Adolescence?
Adolescence stage is a
milestone to all
individuals since it
serves as the
metamorphosis in
becoming an adult.
 Three Stages of Adolescence
• Early adolescence (10-13 years old) is the beginning stages of puberty where
both sexes experience significant physical growth and increased sexual interest.

• Middle adolescence (14-16 years old) is a stage where puberty is already

completed. In this stage, both sexes continue to experience growing capacity
for abstract ideas. This is also where numerous social and emotional changes
occur.

• Late adolescence (17-19 years old) is a mark of the final preparations for adult
roles. The developmental demands of the late adolescence extend up to the
period of young adulthood.
Challenges
of Middle
and Late
Adolescence
 Middle Adolescence (Ages 14-16)

During this stage, adolescents become morally aware

(Morality refers to the beliefs about what is right behavior and what
is wrong behavior). They have the potential ability for abstract
thinking which is characterized by the ability to apply concepts and
to create and comprehend generalizations. They also experience
desire for independence, which is the freedom from the control or
influence of other people.
 Late Adolescence (Ages 17-19)

During this stage, adolescents attain increased

independence and emotional stability, which enables a person to
manage her emotions and life. Adolescents also attain the ability to
think about ideas logically, make plans, and gain a firm sense of
identity (Identity refers to the set of qualities and beliefs that make
one person or group different from others). They are also
concerned with romantic relationships.
 Stages of Healthy Adolescent
Development
STAGE WITH AGE RANG MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE LATE ADOLESCENCE
(APPROX) (AGES 15-17 YEARS) (AGES 18-21 YEARS)
PHYSICAL GROWTH • Secondary sexual • Physical maturity and
characteristics advanced reproductive off and
95% adult height reached ending
INTELLECTUAL/ • Growth in abstract • Abstract thought
COGNITION thought; reverts to established Future
concrete thought under oriented; able to
stress. Cause –effect understand, plan and
relationships better pursue long range goals
understood Very self- Philosophical and
absorbed idealistic
AUTONOMY • Conflict with family • Emancipation:
predominates due to • Vocational/ technical/
ambivalence about college and/or work
emerging independence • Adult lifestyle
STAGE WITH AGE MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE LATE ADOLESCENCE
RANG (APPROX) (AGES 15-17 YEARS) (AGES 18-21 YEARS)
BODY IMAGE • Less concern about physical • Usually comfortable with body
changes but increased interest image
in personal attractiveness
Excessive physical activity
alternating with lethargy

PEER GROUP • Strong peer alliances – fad • Decision values less influenced by
behaviors. peers
• Sexual drives emerge and teens • Relates to individuals more than to
begin to explore ability to date peer group Selection of partner
and attract a partner based on individual preference

IDENTITY Experimentation – sex, drugs, • Pursue realistic vocational goals

DEVELOPMENT friends, jobs, risk-taking behavior with training or career employment
• Relate to family as adult
Realizations of own limitations and
mortality
• Establishment of sexual identity,
sexual activity is more common
• Establishment of ethical and moral
value system More capable of
intimate, complex relationship
Promoting Physical Health

1. Personal hygiene

2. Good grooming

3. Proper bearing and posture

4. Proper nutrition

5. Better sleep hours and clean environment

Social Development

• Personality as reiterated by Eric Erickson is a result of an

individual’s relationship with the significant others as he goes
along performing his everyday tasks.

• Merki (2020) stated that social health directly connotes

relatedness with other people. These are the connections we
establish with other groups of people. These are based on how
one relates and acts which involves key skills of social health
inclusive of communication, compromise and cooperation.
Mental Development
• Personality is never measured by external factors alone. Mental ability
forms part and parcel of one’s persona.

• People differ in several ways. Intelligence is one element that separates

one from all others of same demographics.

• All other things equal, individuals have the ability and even the skills to
learn. These learning’s whether significant or not becomes a basis for
evaluating, analyzing and making decisions pertinent to their everyday
dilemmas.
Cognitive Problems

• Memory problems

• Inability to concentrate

• Poor judgement
Study Habits

Following are ways to deal with the everyday physical, emotional,

and intellectual requirements in the school.

1. Have the right mindset

2. Practice Zero Navigation when preparing for the coursework

3. Choose the proper venue for studying

4. Make a reviewer

5. Bring only the things that you need

Morality

• This is principle concerning how individuals distinguish what is

right from what is wrong. Morality comes from the Latin word
“moralitas” which denotes manner, character and proper behavior.

• It is the differentiation of intentions, decisions and actions

between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are
improper the disjunction between right and wrong.
Emotional Development
• Positive Emotions

A classification of pleasant emotion which may include happiness, excitement,

joy, relief, triumph, jubilation. It connotes an expression where one finds himself
smiling or laughing with a feel of “elation”. These come from positive experiences
especially when one is able to attain or satisfy his expectations and desires.

• Negative Emotions

A classification of emotion involving sadness, disgust, annoyance, anxiety,

anger, jealousy, fear and the like. It is shown through facial expression that is
manifested in an unhappy face, tears, discomfort, pain and even psychosomatic
illness.
Emotional Symptoms
• Moodiness

• Irritability or short temper

• Agitation, inability to relax

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Sense of loneliness and isolation

• Anxiety

• Constant worrying

• Depression or general unhappiness

Anxiety
• The American Psychological Association (APA) defines Anxiety is an
emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and
physical changes like increased blood pressure.

• People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts

or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry.

• They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling,

dizziness or a rapid heartbeat.
Depression
• Depression otherwise known as major depressive disorder or clinical
depression is a common and serious mood disorder.

• Those who suffer from depression experience persistent feelings of

sadness and hopelessness and lose interest in activities they once
enjoyed.

• Aside from the emotional problems caused by depression, individuals

can also present with a physical symptom such as chronic pain or
digestive issues
Men may experience symptoms related
to their:
• Mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness

• Emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless

• Behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired
easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities

• Sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire, lack of sexual performance

• Cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed

responses during conversations

• Sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness,

• Physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, digestive problems

Women may experience symptoms
related to their:
• Mood, such as irritability

• Emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious or hopeless

• Behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements,

thoughts of suicide

• Cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly

• Sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, sleeping
too much

• Physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite,

weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, increased cramps
Bipolar

• The American Psychological Association said that Bipolar disorder

is a brain disorder that causes changes in a person's mood,
energy, and ability to function.

• People with bipolar disorder experience intense emotional states

that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called
mood episodes.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a range of psychological conditions that cause unhealthy
eating habits to develop. They might start with an obsession with food, body weight,
or body shape.

• Anorexia Nervosa
An eating disorder that can result in severe weight loss. A person with anorexia is
preoccupied with calorie intake and weight.

• Bulimia Nervosa
An eating disorder, commonly referred to simply as bulimia. It’s a serious condition that
can be life-threatening. It’s generally characterized by binge eating followed by purging.
What is Mental Health?

According to World Health Organization “Mental

health is a state of well-being in which an individual
realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make
a contribution to his or her community.”
Adolescents also experience challenges in
peer, family, and romantic relationship.
1. Peer relationship includes relationships with friends, neighbors, teammates,
and classmates; it enables an adolescent to have independence from their
parents and to develop his/her own personal identity.

2. Family relationship involves relationship with immediate family members

including parents and siblings. An adolescent with a good family relationship
makes him/her feel secured and loved.

3. Romantic relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves

emotional intimacy and passion with the opposite sex.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence
Youth violence refers to the
intentional use of physical force
or power to threaten or harm
young people.
Examples are sexual assault,
kicking, and bullying.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence
Substance abuse is a long-term,
pathological use of alcohol or
drugs, characterized by daily
intoxication, inability to reduce
consumption, and impairment in
social or occupational functioning;
broadly, alcohol or drug addiction.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence

Malnutrition refers to faulty

nutrition due to inadequate
or unbalanced intake of
nutrients or their impaired
assimilation or utilization.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence
Reproductive Health is a
condition in which the
reproductive functions and
processes are accomplished in
a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence
Lack of education is a
condition in which a person
has a below-average level of
knowledge in basic things in
life due to little or no formal
schooling.
Example of social challenges during
middle and late adolescence

Family problems involve

conflict with family members,
parenting issues, sibling
rivalry, separation of parents,
and financial problems.
Managing Extreme Emotions and Live
Mentally Healthy
1. Seek Help 6. Humor

2. Explore 7. Keep yourself busy

3. Be Positive 8. Protect yourself by improving your

4. Practice proper breathing technique self-esteem

5. Use Mantra 9. Develop Hardiness

10. Take a Break